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BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff warms up before the first start of his career against West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff gathers with teammates before his first start at West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff prepares to throw a pass during a Big 12 football game at West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff walks into Milan Pusker Stadium before his first start against West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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A photo of the locker set up for starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff before a game at West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Former San Diego State head coach Tom Craft (2002-05) is now directing the Riverside City College program, and he’s become a fan of BYU football because he’s a fan of Jake Retzlaff.

“I never thought I’d be rooting for BYU, but I am now,” Craft said with a laugh.

Retzlaff, who made his first FBS start for the Cougars at West Virginia last week, will likely also be the starter on Saturday against Iowa State.

Craft had only one season coaching Retzlaff at Riverside, but it was enough to make a pretty big impression.

“He was like a new toy for me,” said Craft, who watched Retzlaff throw for 4,596 yards and 44 touchdowns for the Tigers in 2022. “He could do anything. Really, BYU shouldn’t try to manage him. He can do anything they want him to do in any kind of offense.”

Retzlaff played high school ball at Corona Centennial (Calif.) but didn’t have a senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We didn’t know very much about him,” Craft admitted. “We had eight or nine quarterbacks coming in at Riverside so he decided to go to Golden West College for his best opportunity to play.”

Retzlaff threw for 3,302 yards and 23 touchdowns at Golden West and was formidable in two appearances against Riverside.

“We’ve only lost three times at our place in 12 years, and Jake was one of the guys that beat us,” Craft said. “We met Golden West again in the Southern California championship game and we beat them on the last play of the game. Jake really impressed me. He had an opportunity to go to UTEP but there was a glitch in his academic transcripts. His dad (Steve) played for me at Palomar College and wanted Jake to look into Riverside.”

When Retzlaff committed to play for Craft, Riverside had five quarterbacks coming back.

“Three of them left,” Craft said. “I think they saw the writing on the wall when Jake came. He separated himself from the first time he stepped on the field. He’s a very intuitive player and has a lot of football savvy. He’s a gym rat-type of guy and loves football. He’s almost like a coach out there. He has tremendous leadership ability and that was really evident when he came here.”

Craft coached Kevin O’Connell at San Diego State (O’Connell is now the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings) and his own son, Kevin, who ended up at UCLA.

“Jake is every bit as good as those guys,” Coach Craft said. “He’s one of the better quarterbacks I’ve ever worked with and I’ve had 12 guys who have been All-Americans or Players of the Year at the junior college level.”

Coach Craft said so much of what Retzlaff does depends on his innate feel for the game.

“He has a very high football IQ,” Coach Craft said. “He’s great in his read progression and anticipating receivers. He’s a great leader and has all the intangibles. He’s also very athletic and can run. He can do a lot of things and I think BYU will realize that if they already haven’t.

“Jake can throw very well off pocket and off schedule. He can make a lot of layered-type throws downfield. He has a quick release and the accuracy. He can make a lot of throws other people can’t make. He’s special and over the next three weeks until they finish the season, Jake is going to impress a lot of people out there. Once they get to know him and what kind of player he is, they’ll be able to take advantage of it.”

Retzlaff was 24 of 42 for 210 yards, no touchdowns and no interception in his debut at West Virginia, a 37-7 Cougar loss.

“A friend of mine once said, ‘The L’s in the loss column are not for losses, they’re for lessons,” Retzlaff said. “So we have to learn from it and play better next week. I don’t think there’s a different playbook we play with (for me). ARod (BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick) is a really good play caller and has been good at calling plays for his quarterback. So I know the whole playbook is available. I also know there’s a part of the playbook ARod loves me in, so I think he’ll try to do that more.”

Retzlaff has been able to retain his redshirt year and will have two season left to play for BYU. With the injury issues for Kedon Slovis, the future is now for Retzlaff.

“Jake will handle the pressure fine,” Coach Craft said. “He’ll handle that transition really well. We was going up against some tough odds in his first college start at West Virginia. BYU is at home this week so that will be a different situation. The schedule doesn’t get any easier but I think he’s going to perform well.

“He’ll need to get some help from his supporting cast, but I think these games will give him the opportunity to show he could have been the starting quarterback since Day 1. I really believe that. I think he’s in the right offense and Jake will excel in it.”

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